NEMA Tasks Emergency Agencies on Improved Coordination, Flood Response
By Adewale Owoade
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has urged emergency response agencies in Oyo to strengthen inter-agency coordination and preparedness to reduce casualties during floods and other disasters.
The agency made the call at a one-day refresher training on Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) organised for its Ibadan personnel and critical stakeholders in the state.
The training focused on strengthening the capacity of emergency responders in search and rescue, evacuation planning, safety procedures and coordinated response to flood emergencies.
Participants included emergency management personnel and representatives of relevant agencies, who were taken through updated search and rescue procedures and safety measures for responding to emergencies.
The programme also reviewed the Search and Rescue Epidemic and Evacuation Plan (SAREEP), providing participants with an opportunity to refresh their knowledge of coordinated search, rescue and evacuation operations.
Speaking at the programme, the South-West Zonal Director of NEMA, Dr Saheed Akiode, said continuous capacity building was necessary to prepare emergency responders for the evolving nature of disasters.
Akiode said the risks associated with flooding and other emergencies required responders to remain adequately trained and capable of acting swiftly and safely.
He also stressed the importance of clearly defining the roles of agencies involved in disaster management, security, firefighting, medical response, search and rescue and evacuation.
According to him, effective disaster response depends largely on the ability of relevant agencies to work together seamlessly before, during and after emergencies.
“Emergency management is everybody’s business. We must continue to deepen inter-agency collaboration because this is not just about NEMA alone.
“We have to be able to evolve effectively in line with the emerging disaster management dynamics,” he said.
Akiode, while responding to questions on collaboration with the Oyo State Emergency Management Agency (OYSEMA), expressed concern over what he described as inadequate government support for the agency.
He said OYSEMA required improved funding and personnel capacity building to enable it to perform its responsibilities effectively.
He called on the state government to address the identified gaps, stressing that a functional state emergency management structure was critical to effective disaster response.
Akiode said all stakeholders had a role to play in preventing and responding to disasters such as floods and fire incidents.
He added that participants were expected to apply the knowledge gained from the training in their respective areas of responsibility.
Earlier, Mr Yinusa Deji, Head of NEMA Ibadan Operations Office, said continuous training was essential to keeping emergency responders prepared for disasters.
Deji noted that flooding remained a significant threat to communities in parts of Oyo, making preparedness, timely communication and clearly defined responsibilities crucial to effective response.
He said the training would enhance participants’ knowledge of search and rescue techniques, evacuation procedures and safety measures.
Deji urged participating agencies to sustain the relationships established during the programme and strengthen joint response mechanisms to reduce response time and protect lives and property.
Also speaking, the Head of Operations, Oyo State Fire Fighter Service, Mr Ayodeji Omole, highlighted the safety risks faced by emergency responders during search and rescue operations, particularly in flood situations.
Omole urged responders to assess risks properly before embarking on rescue missions and avoid exposing themselves unnecessarily to hazards.
He stressed the importance of preparedness and adherence to established operational procedures to ensure that rescue efforts did not create additional casualties.
Participants were also trained on safety measures for evacuating flood victims through waterways, including proper coordination and caution when using boats and other watercraft.
The Head of NEMA Search and Rescue Operations in Ibadan, Mr Ayo Abolarin, emphasised the need for responders to understand the environment and identify potential hazards before commencing rescue operations.
Abolarin also stressed effective communication and coordination among responders, particularly during complex emergencies involving multiple agencies.
The programme featured an interactive session during which participants examined operational challenges affecting emergency response and discussed ways to improve information sharing, communication and joint response mechanisms.
Stakeholders also stressed the importance of maintaining effective working relationships before disasters occur, rather than waiting until emergencies happen before establishing coordination.
The training reinforced the need to protect both victims and rescuers during emergency operations, with participants urged to apply the knowledge gained to improve disaster preparedness and response.
NEMA said the programme was expected to strengthen the capacity of its personnel and other stakeholders to respond more effectively to flooding and other emergencies, while improving coordination in search, rescue and evacuation operations.